MX23RW : Monday, January 25 11:24:50| >> :600:164474:164474:
Dec 16, 2020 at 6pm UK at Stade Auguste Delaune
ReimsReims
3-2
NantesNantes
Bilal Toure (68'), Dia (72' pen.), Cafaro (74')
Konan (7'), Cassama (58')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Pallois (18'), Blas (79')
Da Silva (5'), Traore (72')

Preview: Reims vs. Nantes - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Ligue 1 clash between Reims and Nantes, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Reims host Nantes in Wednesday's Ligue 1 encounter, with both sides looking to end their recent run of poor form.

David Guion's men are currently languishing in the relegation zone after picking up just two wins in the league so far this season but will see the visit of Nantes as a good opportunity to kickstart their struggling campaign.


Match preview

Reims manager David Guion pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Just 10 points from their opening 14 Ligue 1 matches has left Reims in 19th position coming into this one and already looking likely to be embroiled in a relegation battle throughout 2020-21.

Goals have not been an issue for Les Rouges et Blancs, with their 17 strikes making them the second-highest scorers in the bottom half of the table.

Almost half of those goals have come through star forward Boulaye Dia. The 24-year-old Senegal international is second in the French goalscoring charts, with his eight efforts only being bettered by Kylian Mbappe's 10.

Reims finished in sixth position in 2019-20's COVID-19 curtailed campaign, although they were knocked out of the Europa League qualifying stages by Hungarian outfit Fehervar.

They are currently on a three-game winless streak with their 2-1 defeat to Brest last time out their ninth league loss already.

Patrick Collot will take charge of his second game as Nantes caretaker manager following the sacking of Christian Gourcuff earlier this month.

Collot drew his first game in charge against Dijon over the weekend, with Moses Simon's penalty enough to earn Les Canaris a point.

Nantes occupy 14th place going into this one after picking up 14 points from their opening 14 games and are without a win in five domestic clashes.

They will be hoping to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone when they travel to Reims before a new manager comes in to take over the reins.

Reims Ligue 1 form: WDLLDL

Nantes Ligue 1 form: WDDLLD


Team News

Boulaye Dia pictured for Reims in August 2020© Reuters

Left-back Ghislain Konan remains unavailable for Reims with a back injury, while winger Arber Zeneli and forward Anastasios Donis are both sidelined with muscular problems.

Midfielder Marshall Munetsi is one yellow card away from suspension, so will have to be careful if he is to avoid a one-match ban coming into the hectic festive schedule.

Anthony Limbombe is Nantes' only absentee after Charles Traore recovered from coronavirus to return to the bench against Dijon last time out.

Striking pair Kalifa Coulibaly and Jean-Kevin Augustin are both pushing for returns following their respective issues, and Callot could be tempted to turn to them following his side's struggles in front of goal this season.

Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid, Konan; Mbuku, Munetsi, Berisha, Kutesa; Toure, Dia

Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Corchia, Pallois, Girotto, Fabio; Chirivella, Abeid; Louza, Blas, Simon; Kolo Muani


SM words green background

We say: Reims 1-1 Nantes

It should be a tightly contested affair between two evenly matched teams. A win for Reims would likely see them climb out of the relegation zone, whereas a win for Nantes could put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

With so much at stake for both teams, it could end up in a stalemate with neither side prepared to risk coming away without a point.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


ID:426549:cQx

How you voted: Reims vs Nantes

Reims
29.6%
Draw
55.6%
Nantes
14.8%
27
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Paris Saint-Germain PSG duo Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate after scoring against Istanbul Basaksehir on December 9, 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG21143448113745
2Lille21136236152145
3Lyon21127244192543
4MonacoMonaco21123642301239
5Rennes2110653023736
6Marseille209562722532
7Bordeaux219572522332
8Metz218762318531
9Lens219483030031
10Angers219392633-730
11Montpellier HSCMontpellier218493339-628
12Nice207582328-526
13Brest2182113137-626
14Reims216692931-224
15StrasbourgStrasbourg2173113033-324
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2147102035-1519
17NantesNantes213992034-1418
18Dijon202991327-1415
19Nimes2043131641-2515
20Lorient1933132038-1812

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